Ladbrokes League 1: Goals aplenty at Stenhousemuir

There’s rarely been a dull game in the Ladbrokes League 1 division, with four sides averaging over two goals per game heading into this weekend’s round of matches.

Stenhousemuir host Stanraer with both sides witnessing a glut of goals in recent games, while Cowdenbeath host Peterhead looking for a second league win of the season and league favourites Dunfermline take on Ayr.

Here’s your weekly preview…

Albion v Aidrieonians

After successive defeats at Forfar and Cowdenbeath, Albion bounced back to see off Brechin and claim a draw at Peterhead.

Visitors Airdrieonians however have won three on the spin, although they required two late goals to see off struggling Cowden last time out.

The two sides played out a 2-2 League Cup draw at Airdrie in July but so far Albion have been a force on home soil.

In two games at Cliftonhill they’ve picked up six points and conceded just once, so Gary Bollan’s men are going to have a job if they’re to score for a fifth straight league game.

Best Bet: Draw/Draw @ 4/1

Brechin v Forfar

They’re the only side without a point in the Scottish Football League, but Brechin can feel a little hard done by having been edged out by single-goal margins on three occasions.

Visitors Forfar sit second, but they’ve won just one of their last five games – including cup matches – and were thumped 4-0 at home to Dunfermline last time out.

The two meetings at Glebe Park last season saw 11 goals scored and with neither side keeping a clean sheet in their last five games in all competitions, a similar goalfest could ensue once again.

Best Bet: Forfar 2-1 at 7/1

Cowdenbeath v Peterhead

It has been a tough start to life in Ladbrokes League 1 for Cowdenbeath, who have just one win to show for their efforts so far.

Late goals from Airdrieonians and Stranraer have denied them a further four points however, which would heavily change their situation.

At home they have been hard to score against, conceding just once from open play.

Though Peterhead are the only side to defeat Dunfermline this term, they’ve picked up just one point from their last two games and head to a Cowden side increasingly in need of a win.

Best Bet: Cowdenbeath to win @ 19/10

Dunfermline v Ayr

Dunfermline continued their free-scoring ways last weekend, by toppling former league leaders Forfar 4-0 at Station Park.

The Pars have now scored ten goals more than any other side in the table, while Ayr tucked five away in their most recent game.

United are third in the table having picked up ten points from their last four games.

Though they’ve scored 11 times in that spell, Ayr also conceded in each of those matches and may be somewhat concerned about how to hold out Dunfermline’s potent strikeforce.

Best Bet: Dunfermline -1 at 5/4

Stenhousemuir v Stranraer

They haven’t all been at the right end, but Stenhousemuir fans have seen 25 goals already this season, including 18 in the last three games.

Opponents Stranraer meanwhile ended a miserable run of form last weekend with a win at home to Brechin.

Prior to that 1-0 success, the Blues lost four successive games in all competitions, conceding 10 goals while netting just two themselves.

But with the hosts currently leaking goals, Brian Reid’s side should have chances this weekend, and they’ve already seen off Stenny 2-0 at home in the League Cup.

The hosts are joint second top scorers in Ladbrokes League 1 and with both sides already into double figures for the goals conceded column, this could be a high-scoring affair.

Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals @ 13/8

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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